Climbing Higher

RockRidge Church’s Climbing Higher ministry caters to families across the region who live with a special-needs adult. It meets Sunday afternoons once a month at the church, 27570 Commerce Center Drive in Temecula.

A wide range of disabilities is represented in the group, and an average of 20 or more families meet to talk about experiences, therapies, programs, services and other topics.

At the meetings, there are refreshments and a variety of activities, anything from music and games to arts and crafts, and puppet shows.

When Maysen Dixon was born with Turner syndrome, a genetic disorder with a variety of complications, doctors predicted she would never walk or talk.

So as the 8-year-old Canyon Lake resident stood on a stage Sunday and sang the popular “What Makes You Beautiful” pop song to the audience — complete with a few dance moves and an impressive singing voice — her mother, Connie Dixon, said she was filled with joy.

“It brings a tear to my eye, to see how far she’s come,” said Connie Dixon, 35. “She was our little miracle baby.”

Maysen was among about two dozen local children and adults who got a chance to strut their stuff onstage as part of RockRidge Church’s second annual special-needs pageant and fashion show. The Temecula church runs a large and popular Climbing Higher ministry that caters to families with special-needs children, and the show is one aspect of that program.

The event gave participants a chance to be an active part of the community, feel important, and do what they love — be onstage, several parents said.

“They got to feel like they can be like everybody else,” said Sandy Ebert, 78, of Murrieta, whose grandson was in the show.

Murrieta mother Karen Newman, 59, said she appreciates what the pageant allowed her 32-year-old son, Nick, as well as others with special needs, to enjoy — and that’s real life.

“I loved it,” Karen Newman said. “They’re out in the community instead of staying at home and watching TV. They love to be onstage. They love the audience, the clapping, the trophies.”

There were no losers on Sunday, as everyone in the show earned a trophy and hearty rounds of applause. To earn the praise, participants dressed up in various costumes and performed onstage, answering questions and smiling to the crowd.

Elvis, Michael Jackson, Danny Zucco from “Grease” and Arnold Schwarzenegger all made appearances. Dapper attire, zoot suits and red carpet-ready looks also graced the stage. Questions of “who are you wearing” got responses such as “Kohl’s” and “my Mom made it.”

“I loved the event,” said participant Chantel Leak, 21, of Temecula. “I love dressing up and being with my friends and stuff.”

Participant Nicolette Condry, 31, of Menifee, who wowed the audience with her flag-twirling performance, said she honed her skills as a student at San Pasqual High School in Escondido years ago, and it was fun to bring out her sequined flag and do it again.